Mike Osborne Trio & Quintet - Border Crossing / Marcel's Muse

Captain Hate · October-16th-2004, 10:10 AM

Got this at Gordon's rec and an excellent rec it is. Reissues are always a dodgy undertaking for me unless I'm upgrading from vinyl to cd, but this one I knew absolutely nothing about. Great post-Ornette alto trio on Border Crossing with Louis Moholo and Harry Miller. Reminds me of the first time I heard Thomas Chapin's trio with compelling streams of lines that link together perfectly. Recorded live in '74 at the Peanuts Club in London, some of the songs fade out; I'm wondering if this was to allow the inclusion of Marcel's Muse since the disc butts right up against the 80 minute limit. If that were the case I would rather this be a 2 disc set with the whole of Border Crossing intact since that is the better of the two, imo. But that's a minor quibble; props to Ogun for making this available.

Marcel's Muse I'm slightly less enthusiastic about but that is more an indication of how awesome the trio's performance is than a slam on the quintet's studio recording. The guitar player on Marcel's Muse, Jeff Green, doesn't do too much for me but Mark Charig on trumpet and Peter Nykryruj on drums are fine. Harry Miller is on bass again and does another bang up job. Interesting compositions and excellent playing: Reissue of the year so far.

Brian Olewnick · October-16th-2004, 11:17 AM

Cap, if you don't already own it, you should pick up the three-disc (five original vinyl albums) Harry Miller collection on Ogun, especially for the "Family Affair" session, a wonderful sextet w/ Miller, Charig, Osborne, Griffiths, Tippett and Moholo.

JaSt · October-16th-2004, 11:49 AM

I would say that the Osborne/Miller/Moholo Trio LP "All Night Long" from Willisau 1975 is some of the best Mike Osborne on record together with (love to say it!) "Live at The Plough" with John Stevens Trio also including Paul Rogers .

jazzfiend · October-16th-2004, 03:27 PM

Cap'n, thanks for bringing this fine document to the attention of the masses.
I've been loving it for several months now. In case you don't have it, be sure to pick up Osborne's classic, "Outback", which features the marvelous Harry Beckett on trumpet, Chris McGregor on piano, Miller & Moholo.

Captain Hate · October-16th-2004, 07:09 PM

Maybe there are co-reissues of the year; thanks for the recs guys. Looks like I'll be paying a visit to DMG early next month.

Fiend, I posed the question on one of the versions of WAYLT of what everybody thought of Loren Stillman; and received absolutely nada for a response. Since you're the only person that I noticed here even being aware of his recording existence, what do you think of his playing on the disc you own. It received a rave review in Cadence and I was looking for further info.

jazzfiend · October-16th-2004, 11:26 PM

Cap'n, I own two Stillman cd's, Gin Bon & How Sweet it Is. The former includes John Abercrombie on several tracks. I was very impressed with Loren's conception & maturity on alto. This young cat is a thinking player with a lyrical bent, with his sound & approach reminiscent of Lee Konitz. He's at the opposite end of the scale from Kenny Garrett, for example. I'd start with How Sweet it Is. Hope you dig it.

Another player you may not be aware of is Rich Halley. I feel confident that you will enjoy his playing (tenor sax), and highly recommend his trio cd, Objects. I found it at Half.com for about 4 bucks. Exciting & original sound & conception from a cat who blows with passion and dark lyricism. Check it out, and if you dig it, I've got 3 more recs involving Mr. Halley.

Nate Dorward · October-17th-2004, 12:06 AM

Yeah, Objects is great! I was somehow a little disappointed by the more recent The Blue Rims which is the same group + Bobby Bradford--seemed to be a little more temperate--but the trio disc is excellent.

shrugs · October-17th-2004, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaSt

I would say that the Osborne/Miller/Moholo Trio LP "All Night Long" from Willisau 1975 is some of the best Mike Osborne on record together with (love to say it!) "Live at The Plough" with John Stevens Trio also including Paul Rogers .

All Night Long is indeed the cream of the crop.

Captain Hate · October-17th-2004, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzfiend

Another player you may not be aware of is Rich Halley. I feel confident that you will enjoy his playing (tenor sax), and highly recommend his trio cd, Objects. I found it at Half.com for about 4 bucks. Exciting & original sound & conception from a cat who blows with passion and dark lyricism. Check it out, and if you dig it, I've got 3 more recs involving Mr. Halley.

Fiend, you rec'd Objects to me over on that thread where posters rec'd for other posters and I picked it up; I just haven't listened to it yet (so many discs and so little time). I didn't know about Half.com but that's ok.

[edit]Check out my comments at WAYLT and let's have those recs.

Gordon B · October-24th-2004, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzfiend

Cap'n, thanks for bringing this fine document to the attention of the masses.
I've been loving it for several months now. In case you don't have it, be sure to pick up Osborne's classic, "Outback", which features the marvelous Harry Beckett on trumpet, Chris McGregor on piano, Miller & Moholo.

I wholeheartedly agree. CH, you need to get this and "All Night Long" on your next purchase.

I don't own "Live at the Plough." I"m going to have to get it.

Dan G · October-24th-2004, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon B

I wholeheartedly agree. CH, you need to get this and "All Night Long" on your next purchase.

I don't own "Live at the Plough." I"m going to have to get it.

Live at the Plough is good, musically, but the sound is appallingly bad. I'm surprised it was even released.

JaSt · October-30th-2004, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon B

I don't own "Live at the Plough." I"m going to have to get it.

Gordon,
We released it because we hoped that some people should appreciate the musical/cultural value (it could be MIke's last recording) in spite of all the background noise in a packed English pup on a Friday night.
If you give me your address, I will send you a copy for free and I'm sure you will be delighted.

Captain Hate · February-8th-2006, 06:13 AM

Thanks to the *great* Jan Strom I'm now the happy owner of "Live at the Plough" and it truly does burn. Forget about the dodgy sound, once you start listening all you hear is hot playing. As Gordon points out elsewhere, Osborne quotes other songs here like he's the second coming of Dexter Gordon (although it should be pointed out that cut #2 "Plough Story" is really "Cool Struttin"). John Stevens and Paul Rogers suffer the most from the sound, but again, it's not that big a deal.

Everybody not having this would be well advised to make this part of their Ayler new website sale package by EOD today.

Gordon B · February-8th-2006, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Hate

Thanks to the *great* Jan Strom I'm now the happy owner of "Live at the Plough" and it truly does burn. Forget about the dodgy sound, once you start listening all you hear is hot playing. As Gordon points out elsewhere, Osborne quotes other songs here like he's the second coming of Dexter Gordon (although it should be pointed out that cut #2 "Plough Story" is really "Cool Struttin"). John Stevens and Paul Rogers suffer the most from the sound, but again, it's not that big a deal.

Everybody not having this would be well advised to make this part of their Ayler new website sale package by EOD today.

I remember thanking Jan and posting about "Live at the Plough" on another thread back in 2004. Osborne is inspired on that date. I heartily recommend it.

Felix · February-8th-2006, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Olewnick

Cap, if you don't already own it, you should pick up the three-disc (five original vinyl albums) Harry Miller collection on Ogun, especially for the "Family Affair" session, a wonderful sextet w/ Miller, Charig, Osborne, Griffiths, Tippett and Moholo.

I read there's an upcoming (May, I think) Cuneiform release from Miller's Isipingo band, a 1975 recording with Mongezi Feza, Osborne, Nick Evans, Tippett, Miller and Moholo. I can't wait!

Head Man · February-8th-2006, 02:00 PM

In addition to the reissues mentioned above there's a fantastic Louis Moholo reissue just released on Ogun.

It's a double CD, the first of which is an Octet recording from 1978 called Spirits Rejoice with Louis on drums, Evan Parker (tenor sax), Kenny Wheeler (trumpet), Nick Evans & Radu Malfatti (trombones), Keith Tippet (piano), Johnny Dyani & Harry Miller (basses). This is a 'must have' recording!

The second CD is a session from 1985 called Bra Louis-Bra Tebs with a Septet of Jason Yarde (saxes), Toby Delius (tenor sax), Claude Deppa (trumpet), Pule Pheto (piano), Roberto Bellatella (bass), Francine Luce (voice) & Louis on drums. Very different from Spirits Rejoice but again a lovely recording.

If it's not available from your usual supplier, then it can be purchased direct from Cadillac Records:

http://www.cadillacjazz.co.uk./

Gerardo A · February-8th-2006, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Head Man

...an Octet recording from 1978 called Spirits Rejoice with Louis on drums, Evan Parker (tenor sax), Kenny Wheeler (trumpet), Nick Evans & Radu Malfatti (trombones), Keith Tippet (piano), Johnny Dyani & Harry Miller (basses). This is a 'must have' recording!

Agree wholeheartedly. Spirits Rejoice is one of the most amazing albums to feature South-African/British musicians, IMHO.

I bought the John Stevens/Mike Osborne/Paul Rogers trio from Jan yesterday (along with Grimes/Murray/Drake, EC @ Tampere and Firehouse), taking advantage of the Ayler records offer. I'm really looking forward to hearing the Stevens trio CD!

Captain Hate · February-8th-2006, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerardo Alejos

I bought the John Stevens/Mike Osborne/Paul Rogers trio from Jan yesterday (along with Grimes/Murray/Drake, EC @ Tampere and Firehouse), taking advantage of the Ayler records offer. I'm really looking forward to hearing the Stevens trio CD!

Welcome aboard, Gerardo. Don't be shy about posting your opinions on those Aylers!!

Gerardo A · February-8th-2006, 07:45 PM

Thanks, man. I definitely will. Can't wait for the postman to arrive!!!

Brian Olewnick · February-9th-2006, 09:01 AM

Wow, great to know about Spirits Rejoice! Ranked near the top of my list of things I really wanted discafied. Beautiful recording.

Don't know the other one, though I was disappointed with one of the other Moholo releases from the 80s, Viva La Black.

Gerardo A · February-9th-2006, 11:09 AM

Hey Brian, does "discafied" means "re-released" or "released as a CD"? I did a google search but couldn't find the meaning of the word...

Brian Olewnick · February-9th-2006, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerardo Alejos

Hey Brian, does "discafied" means "re-released" or "released as a CD"? I did a google search but couldn't find the meaning of the word...

My own neologism for "being issued on CD". (Glad to see no one's stolen it!)

I've been talking up the virtues of that album, here and elsewhere, for many years. Especially those of a Reynoldsian persuasion should do what they can to get hold of it.

btw, welcome aboard, Gerardo.

Gerardo A · February-9th-2006, 11:31 AM

Quote:

My own neologism for "being issued on CD". (Glad to see no one's stolen it!)

Hehe... as a matter of fact the only thing google found was some comments at Bagatellen that were probably yours...

Quote:

I've been talking up the virtues of that album, here and elsewhere, for many years.

Yeah, SR rocks! Especially that first track, "Khanya Apho Ukhona", man, you can sing along that theme for days...

And thanks for the welcome!

Brian Olewnick · February-9th-2006, 11:35 AM

Just watch out for that Zamora character....Can't trust him an inch.

Brian Olewnick · February-9th-2006, 12:45 PM

A couple of months ago, at an otherwise disappointing concert by The Thing, they performed a cover (much to my surprise) of Mongezi Feza's "You Don't Know Me Just Because You Think You Know Me", if I'm remembering the title correctly. Gorgeous tune.

I know I've asked this before but I'm not sure of the current answer: Is Dudu Pukwana's "In the Townships", originally issued on Caroline, available on disc these days?

Dan G · February-9th-2006, 12:55 PM

I don't think the Pukwana disc is available, though it seems to have been for a short time on Earthworks. I've hunted for it, and haven't found any listings except maybe one of those idiotic GEMM dealers who put 3 digit prices on oop things they probably don't even have.

Gotta live with the vinyl for now.